hand across the lips.

"You miserable hound!" I cried madly. "None but a coward would taunt a
helpless prisoner. I only hope I may yet be free long enough to write
the lie with steel across your heart."

Before he could move Sheridan was upon his feet and between us.

"Back, both of you!" he ordered sharply. "There shall be no brawling
here. Major Brennan, you will remain; I would speak with you further
regarding this matter. Lieutenant Caton, take charge of the prisoner."




CHAPTER XII

UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH


At this late date I doubt greatly if my situation at that time was so
desperate as I then conceived it. I question now whether the death
sentence would ever have been executed. But then, with the memory of
Sheridan's rage and my own hot-headed retort, I fully believed my fate
was destined to be that of the condemned spy, unless she who alone
might tell the whole truth should voluntarily do so. That circumstances
had left me in the power of one whose fierce dislike was already
evident was beyond question, and I had yielded to his goading to such
an extent as to give those in authority every excuse for the exercise
of extreme military power. Yet of one thing I was firmly resolved--no